The 2007 Legacy is one of Subaru's all wheel drive
vehicles; it comes in sedan and wagon body styles. It was last the
redesigned 2005, gaining safety features and an available turbocharged engine.
For 2007, the Subaru Legacy gets an enhanced GT Limited Spec B performance
edition, as well as modified interior controls and upgraded safety options.
Legacy is Subaru's larger series, closely related to the sport utility
vehicle-styled Outback. The Subaru Legacy comes in a variety of trim levels with
turbocharged and normally aspirated engines. All Subaru models come with
all-wheel drive. The Legacy 2.5i Sedan and Wagon feature a non-turbocharged
engine. The Legacy GT versions use the turbocharged engine with SI-Drive. The
Legacy GT comes in Limited and Spec.B versions. Ride comfort is a foremost
virtue of the 2.5 GT. Despite a basic tautness, its suspension is absorbent and
neatly compliant. Some body lean is noticeable through quick curves, but it is
largely well-controlled and imparts an average confidence level. The advantages
to the Legacy for 2007 include its exceptional handling, seat and ride comfort,
the availability of a turbocharged engine, and the capabilities of the automatic
transmission. The downsides to the Legacy are its rather small cabin
space, and the higher cost of the Legacy's recommendation of premium gasoline.
The 2007 Subaru Legacy gets an EPA fuel economy 23/30 mpg (city/highway).
Legacy Design
The 2007 Legacy looks sleeker than previous models
and its dimensions are slightly larger than past editions. Turbocharged models
have a functional hood scoop and a dual exhaust system. Alloy wheels hold
17-inch tires on the 2.5 GT; other models have 16-inch tires. The Spec B
includes 18-inchers. The hood is made of aluminum; this is a lighter material. The profile is
rakish, with a nice coupe-like roofline. The spec.B test model has aerodynamic
side ground-effect bodywork. At the rear, blocky taillamps are connected by an
integrated spoiler lip on the trunk over the ordinary bumper. The wheels are
elegant with a starburst design and 10 thin, tapered spokes. Using aluminum for the
hood, bumper beams and rear liftgate on wagons helped to reduce weight by as much
as 180 pounds.
Driving the Subaru Legacy
A new SI-Drive system maps accelerator response to three modes: Intelligent,
which maximizes fuel economy, Sport, which allows for moderately sporty driving,
and Sport Sharp, which maximizes throttle response. As with all Subarus,
all-wheel drive is standard. Subaru offers three transmission and
all-wheel-drive combinations: models with the five-speed automatic use Variable
Torque Distribution all-wheel drive; models with the four-speed automatic have
active all-wheel drive; and manual-shift models use continuous all-wheel drive.
The Legacy usually runs quietly, though occupants can
hear tire noise on pavement separators and other imperfections. Acceleration in
turbocharged models is energetic from a standstill and when passing and merging,
though it is short of record-setting. Automatic-transmission shifts are
particularly smooth. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard. A four-speed
automatic is optional in the 2.5i while the turbocharged 2.5 GT can have a
five-speed automatic. The five-speed automatic incorporates Sportshift for
manual gear changes, either at the gearshift or by using buttons on the
Momo-designed steering wheel. When a quick burst of acceleration is needed,
tapping a button causes the transmission to drop down one gear temporarily. The
2.5 GT Limited wagon is available only with an automatic transmission.
2007 Legacy Power
In regular form, the 2.5-liter horizontally
opposed four-cylinder now produces 175 hp. A turbocharged 2.5-liter
four-cylinder in the 2.5 GT Limited develops 243 hp and 241 pounds-feet of
torque. Subaru says Intelligent mode delivers about 10 percent better fuel
mileage (91 octane required). The 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer engine has been
upgraded to an impressive degree, with the introduction of a technology that's
currently only available on some BMWs and Ferraris. Called Subaru Intelligent
Drive (SI-Drive), it allows a driver to twist a knob to select one of three
engine performance levels.
Inside a Legacy
The Legacy seats five occupants. A four-dial
electroluminescent instrument display is installed in 2.5 GT Limited models,
which include leather-trimmed upholstery, an in-dash six-CD changer, an
eight-way power driver's seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated
front seats and mirrors. The interior is small but entry and exit is easy. The
seats are supportive and generously cushioned. The center console is reasonably
deep and there is a useful pocket on the driver's door. The aluminum pedals are
neat, but the brake and gas pedal are squeezed together with the clutch pedal
spaced farther to the left. This makes it difficult to blip the gas with the
heel of your right foot for a downshift, while the toe of that foot is on the
brake pedal, a technique that results in smooth downshifts when you're slowing
down quickly. For 2007, the center audio and climate controls have been
redesigned for a cleaner look. A navigation system is standard on the Spec B and
optional on automatic-equipped 2.5 GT Limited sedans. All Legacy sedans include
a 60/40-split and a folding rear seat with a center pass-through.
Lineup for 2007
The 2.5i models include air conditioning, tilt
steering wheel, cruise control, six-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo, trip computer,
power windows, locks and mirrors, and carpeted floor mats. Upholstery is a
tweed-look fabric. The wagon has a 60/40 split, fold-down rear seatback, cargo
light, carpeted cargo area, and retractable cargo cover. Wheels are 17-inch
alloys with R-rated all-season tires and the foldable mirrors and side ground
effects are painted to match the body. The wagon gets a rear spoiler and roof
rails.
The GT Limited has a long list of standard features
that might be considered luxury; this includes a premium 120-watt sound system with
MP3 capability that's pre-wired for XM Satellite Radio and has an auxiliary
audio jack, MOMO steering wheel, four-stage heated front seats with power and
lumbar adjustment, air filtration system, dual-zone climate control, power glass
moonroof, folding heated sideview mirrors, four-beam halogen headlights, halogen
fog lights, and new 17-inch alloy wheels. The Limited uses either a five-speed
manual transmission or optional five-speed automatic with Sportshift manual
mode. A navigation system is optional.
The 2.5 GT spec.B uses a six-speed manual
transmission, Bilstein shocks along with inverted front struts and aluminum
suspension components and 18-inch alloy wheels carrying fat 215/45 Bridgestone
Potenza summer performance tires. The seats are charcoal gray leather with blue Alcantara (suede-like) inserts. The navigation system is standard on the spec. B.
Summary
The 2007 Subaru Legacy is refined, polished,
powerful, and agile. It is a fun car to drive, with a smooth and pleasant ride.
The Legacy GT spec.B is much like the WRX is to the Impreza, except it's far
more refined; it is a gentleman's sports sedan, complete with Bilstein suspension
and wide, low-profile summer performance tires on 10-spoke, 18-inch alloy rims.
Standard safety features on the Legacy include seat-mounted side-impact airbags,
side curtain airbags and antilock brakes are standard. Active front-seat head
restraints are included. An electronic stability system has been added for 2007.
It is standard on the Spec B and available on the 2.5 GT Limited. The 2007
Legacy earned the highest rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
in its frontal, side and rear crash tests, for both driver and passenger.